City Council Regular Meeting

City Council Regular Meeting Madison Heights, Michigan June 09, 2025 A City Council Regular Meeting was held on Monday, June 09, 2025 at 7:30 PM at City Hall - Council Chambers, 300 W. 13 Mile Rd. PRESENT Mayor Roslyn Grafstein Mayor Pro Tem Mark Bliss Councilman Sean Fleming Councilman William Mier Councilor Emily Rohrbach Councilman David Soltis Councilor Quinn Wright ALSO PRESENT City Manager Melissa Marsh Assistant City Attorney Jeffrey Sherman Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Cheryl Rottmann Councilor Rohrbach gave the invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance followed. CM-25-77. Addition to the Agenda. Motion to add to the agenda under Communications, Update on Non-Emergency Phone Outage. Motion made by Councilor Rohrbach, Seconded by Councilman Fleming. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-25-78. MERS Defined Contribution Withdrawal and Transfer Agreement. City Manager Marsh stated that this public hearing is to receive comments on the proposed Municipal Employees' Retirement System of Michigan (MERS) Defined Contribution (DC) Withdrawal and Transfer Agreement. As required by MERS Retirement Board Termination Policy and Procedure, the process to withdraw from this DC plan requires public notice at two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings of the City Council. The first public hearing is scheduled for today, and the second is planned for June 23, 2025. The Resolution to Terminate Participation in the MERS 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan has been drafted which, if approved at the June 23, 2025 1 meeting, will permit the city to execute the MERS Withdraw and Transfer Agreement to move funds to Mission Square. Mayor Grafstein opened the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. Seeing no one wishing to speak, Mayor Grafstein closed the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. Motion to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the MERS Withdrawal and Transfer Agreement on behalf of the city and to schedule a second public hearing on June 23, 2025. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilor Wright. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Paul Sanders, resident, spoke in opposition to reducing lanes on 11 Mile Road. CM-25-79. Consent Agenda. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-25-80. Clinton River Watershed Council - Stormwater Education Program. Motion to approve the contract with Clinton River Watershed Council effective October 1, 2025, to provide educational services as required by the City of Madison Heights MS4 permit and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign on behalf of the City. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. 2 CM-25-81. Director of Public Services - 2025 LRIP Grant Cost Participation Agreement. Motion to approve the Cost Participation Agreement for the 2025 LRIP program and authorize the mayor to electronically sign on behalf of the city. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-25-82. 2025 West Nile Virus Resolution. Motion to approve the following Resolution enabling the Department of Public Services to request the annual West Nile Virus Fund Expense Reimbursement from Oakland County. RESOLUTION WHEREAS, upon the recommendation of the Oakland County Executive, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners has established a West Nile Virus Fund Program to assist Oakland County cities, villages, and townships in addressing mosquito control activities; and WHEREAS, Oakland County’s West Nile Virus Fund Program authorizes Oakland County cities, villages, and townships to apply for reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred in connection with personal mosquito protection measures/activity, mosquito habitat eradication, mosquito larviciding or focused adult mosquito insecticide spraying in designated community green areas; and WHEREAS, The City of Madison Heights of Oakland County, Michigan has incurred expenses in connection with mosquito control activities believed to be eligible for reimbursement under Oakland County’s West Nile Virus Fund Program. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The Mayor and City Council of Madison Heights authorizes and directs its Public Works Supervisor, Chris Woodward, as agent for the City of Madison Heights, in the manner and to the extent provided under Oakland County Board of Commissioners 2025 Mosquito Smarts Program to request reimbursement of eligible mosquito control activity under Oakland County’s West Nile Virus Fund Program. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. 3 CM-25-83. Franchise Fee Audit. Motion to approve a Professional Services Agreement with Azavar for a franchise fee audit for the City of Madison Heights and authorize the City Manager to sign on behalf of the city. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-25-84. Playground Mulch Installation. Motion to award the bid for Playground Mulch Installation to the lowest qualified bidder, Superior Groundcover Inc., of Grand Rapids, for a unit cost of $34.95 per cubic yard, not to exceed $50,000. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-25-85. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of May 12, 2025. Motion to approve the City Council Regular Meeting minutes of May 12, 2025, as printed. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-25-86. Right-of-Way Property Acquisition United Methodist Church. Motion to authorize the City Manager and Clerk to sign the Property Transfer Agreement and record Quit Claim Deed for the acquisition of 27ft of Right-of-Way for the sum of one and 00/100 ($1.00) dollar. In exchange for this additional Right-of-Way, it is understood that the Madison Heights Downtown Development Authority shall bear all costs of the removal and replacement of the United Methodist Church sign. Motion made by Councilor Rohrbach, Seconded by Councilman Fleming. 4  Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. CM-25-87. Special Land Use Request #PSP 25-02 - 436 E. 14 Mile Road - Major Auto Repair and Service. Motion to approve the Special Land Use request number PSP 25-02 for a major auto repair and service facility at 436 E. 14 Mile Road based upon the Planning Commission findings and with the following conditions: 1. A Minor Site Plan shall be submitted to the Community and Economic Development Department in accordance with Section 15.04 of the Zoning Ordinance. The Minor Site Plan, when submitted, shall be designed to satisfy the following: a. The site shall meet the minimum Frontage Landscaping requirements contained in Section 11.05. Administrative waivers may be accommodated to comply with DTE pruning requirements for the nearby overhead wires. b. The site plan shall denote locations for customer/employee parking, parking for vehicles awaiting repair, and any outdoor storage. c. The designated ADA parking space/aisle shall be increased to a width of 16 feet in accordance with ADA standards and shall be shifted out of the drive aisle. d. A detailed floor plan shall be provided which denotes the number of hoists or service bays within the building. e. Lighting will be adjusted to ensure no trespassing of light and allow the building department to determine if a photometric plan is required. 2. The Minor Site Plan and use shall satisfy the use-specific standards for auto repair and service facilities contained in Section 7.03.2 and attached to the staff report. The use- specific operating conditions shall be listed on the final Certificate of Occupancy. 3. The Community and Economic Development Department is responsible for approving compliance with the conditions noted above. Joseph Gorial, representing the applicant, stated improvements include upgraded lighting, painted exterior and interior, and upgraded landscaping. The interior will be mainly a collision shop. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. 5  CM-25-88. Annual Microsoft Licenses. Motion to approve the purchase of Microsoft 365 P1, G1 and G3 licenses in the amount of $63,432.00. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Skynet Representative Ty Dolin noted that the G3 licenses do not include Co-Pilot and to do so would require an upgrade. Motion made by Councilor Wright, Seconded by Councilor Rohrbach. Voting Yea: Mayor Grafstein, Mayor Pro Tem Bliss, Councilman Fleming, Councilman Mier, Councilor Rohrbach, Councilman Soltis, Councilor Wright Motion carried. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mayor Pro Tem Bliss noted that he does not support the adopted Streetscape plan for 11 Mile Road. He appreciates the Skynet representative for coming before Council this evening and he appreciates the awareness that it brings to the public on the issue. He is glad that the path forward is clear, and he looks foward to the changes that will be put in place including communication and how failures will be handled in the future. He wished a Happy Anniversary to his wife, Allie, and stated that he appreciates all her support through the years. Councilman Mier stated to be sure to participate in the many wonderful things that are going on in the city. Councilor Wright wished everyone a Happy Pride Month. He thanked the Madison Heights Police department and the Crime Commission for their work on the Bike Rodeo, which was another successful event. He gave a reminder that the Arts Board and HREC Arts and Pride event will be on June 22nd, so come on out, everyone is welcome. He gave a huge kudos to the HREC for their participation in the Lantern Festival, noting it was a great event that featured traditional and modern asian culture and an overall great experience. It is Men’s Health Awarenss Month, so check on the men in your life. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers on Council and the public. And it is time to start thinking about Revin’ in the Heights on September 13th. It is going to be a lot of fun and there will be more details to come. Remember to be kind. City Attorney Sherman had no comments this evening. City Manager Marsh had no comments this evening. Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Rottmann had no comments this evening. Councilor Rohrbach thanked the ECC for their participation in native plant sale in May. All funds go towards ECC initiatives, including the garden grant program. Congrats to those that participated and or planned the Asian Lantern Festival, the Bike Rodeo, Arts and Pride and Juneteenth. Juneteenth will be a wonderful event and great way to recognize the fulfillment of the American promise, and she encouraged all to join the celebration. Councilman Fleming participated in the parade and service for Memorial Day and thanked those that participated. He wished Jean Linville well, as she was unable to attend the event this year. If you are passionate about the parade and military service, please come forward to help, it is 6 important to our service members. For the Bike Rodeo, he went to SEMCOG and picked up materials to distribute and the Bike Rodeo gave out helmets. This event is a great opportunity for residents to nuture relationships with our police. The city-wide garage sale is on June 21st. There is a lot of construction right now and the workers’ safety is paramount. Please slow down for their safety and look out for the workers. He clarified that the 11 Mile Streetscape will not have kids riding in the road, but rather it will have an expanded 8-foot-wide sidewalk, to give space for pedestrians and bike riders to ride. Councilman Soltis stated he promised the City Manager that he would learn to play pickleball. Mayor Grafstein noted that we had the grand opening of the pickleball courts, there was a great crowd, and it went very well. She stated that she appreciated Councilor Wright being a good sport participating in hula dancing at the Lantern Festival, which was a really nice event. The Arts Board Gala was a nice event honoring Madison Height’s native Natalie Malotke. She stated that Memorial Day is not only about the parade, but it is about the veterans and their families. Please keep Jean Linville in your thoughts. She stated that Walter Himler, our WW2 veteran, was at the Memorial Day event and he recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Unfortunately, he passed this week, and he will be missed. Please keep his family in your throughts and prayers. The next Council meeting is June 23rd. ADJOURNMENT: Having no further business, Mayor Grafstein adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Roslyn Grafstein, Mayor Cheryl E. Rottmann, City Clerk 7